The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-06-30

How the Antl-TreatinG Society in Georgia
Originated In Tragedy.

Macon fGa.1 Special.
Anew tenn Derance crusade, which recently had
its origin Macon, promises. by reason of its
direct method ard of its economy, to spread over
wide territory. There are many, IN fact who
look upon it "a practical solution or one or tbs
great drink evils. It is anti-treating society,"
and its energy is directed not against all drink
ing. but only al aims. the social cup Thus il
does not deny anybody personal liberty,
but il is thought to have the germ of a great
social reform IN it,
The Anti-treating Society is the outcome of
remark by the late 5. Ell. Jemison, a lawyer. and
At the time member of the Legislature. ID
was not advocate OF prohibition. nor sid he
believe IN total abstinence but in his social Ca
Teer he had full opportunity of knowing the inn
mense evil caused by social drinking" In his
opinion the greater percentage of drunkenness
would not exist If this custom of treating TO
drinks could be abolished. 1t is thoroughly an
American custom. and as such is q sad reflection
upon the intelligence independence and refine
inent of the American people, although il grows
out of our abundant generosity. His argument
was simply against the immoderant amount of
drinking by those who would not have cared fog
more than one drink apiece had they been able
10 resist the temptation of treating" after
"being treated" Mr.. Jemison thought such
society would prove great help just where il
was most needed
The society might not have had vitalizna
force but for Mr. tensions death under circum-
stances that emphasized the idea. With a party
of friends he was drinking in a bar-room when
an acquaintance who was in the saloon, but was
not one of the drinking party, became insuted
because he not included in the treat drew a
pistol and shot Jemison. the shot taking effecs
in the lungs. Jemison turned upon him and
shot him dead. But he also had received a NOR
tai wound. He was a young man OF ability aud
promise, and his tragic death in early life re-
called to the memory of his friends his many
commentators of this special plan of temper
ance work, and it under such circumstances
that the anti treating society began its crusade.
The work of this society consists the disrribu-
ton of pledge cards among those who desire to
join it, and the following is the form of the
pledge:
IL I. T
not drink with or ask anyone to drink IN public
place elsewhere, any spirituous malt liquors.
in public place elsewhere for liquor any of
its forms, either spirituous malt, as forfeit.
Executed in duplicate at (Maccn. Cab this = day
N. B-This card to be retained by the person sign-
ing it.
The duplicate card, which is returned to the
secretary of the society. is the the pledge
card retained but bears on the reverse side this
THE ANTITREATING SOCIETY
Of Jamson division, No. IL. county of (Bbb), State
OF (Geoorgia) Very respectfully,
M---tA B.)----
All persons who desire it can procure executed cop.
A. ST. at tan mo on is6 Orange street. IT. Macon Ga5
n. B.-Return this copy as above.
The duplicate pledge card bears this side
the name of the person who solicited the signing
of the card or the name of the gentleman to
whom it may be sent through the mail. Both
ladies and gen tlemen have become members of
Macon, and seven Anti-Treating societies have
been formed in other towns in Georgia and ars
beginning active work. The society att Macon is
known Jemison division, No i; that at
Milledgeville, Jemison division. No. 2 and
on according to the time of organization. Nu-
merous inquiries have been received at head
quarters asking about the work, its plans, and
he like. Some of these from other States.
including Northern States; two from Scotland
and France and one from Nova Scotia, and one
from the Bermuda islands. In effect the form
that the liquor law in Georgia has taken in
some counties and towns accomplishes the same
purpose the Anttreating Society. In At
lanta, for example, man cannot buy less than
quart of liquor. This discourages treating az
bar-rooms and all public places. if not at home
And the idea has spread in another direction.
During the recent session of the Florida Legis-
lature bill was introduced making it INSIDE
meanor to invite to take drink. Tie
bill was killed by rdcule. but it showed that
the anti-treating idea had got abroad.
It is not a prohibitory total abstinence
movement, but it is very practical reform
movement. directed against a social custom that
is undoubtedly responsible for much of the
intemperance in the United States